







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | |
| Why don't you answer your phone? | |
| I guess he wants to drink some water. | |
| I see them around a lot where I work, actually. | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |
| Yes, he is totally fine after resting for a while. | |
| He is 70 and my mum is 64. | |
| The other one is 3,000, but includes all bills. | |
| Do you have their number? | |
| How long does it usually take? | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | |
| Alright, I think I know who he is... | |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | |
| I'm just teasing you, dear, 200 degrees is okay! | |
| Do we have to do that every time we need to open the door? | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | |
| Toby! This is Cate, she is my... friend, from London. | |
| But I think that's only for older women. | |